Wildcats win in Townsville

THE Perth Wildcats have defeated the Townsville Crocodiles, 93-85, despite nearly giving up a 23-point half-time deficit lead in Townsville on Saturday night.

Backed by their vocal crowd, the Crocs nearly pulled off a miraculous fight-back against the championship favourites, coming within four points with 2:54 left in the game.

Peter Crawford produced a stunning second-half, scoring 10 points in each of the third and fourth quarters to turn the game on its head, before Perth guard Kevin Lisch sealed the game from the free-throw line.

Lisch, who registered a game-high 28 points, said his side slacked off after the break.

"I think mentally from the beginning we were not ready to go and they took advantage of that," he said.